16
I sat there in the kitchen, my fingers absentmindedly stroking Sheraa's fur, when I felt a warm, bruised hand gently settle on my shoulder.
I didn't need to look up.
It was Dyan bhaiya.
I sighed heavily, feeling my chest tighten even more.
Without thinking, I leaned back, resting my head lightly against him. His presence - rough and protective - gave me a small anchor in the sea of emotions drowning me.
"You okay, Choti?" Dyan bhaiya asked, his voice low, roughened by everything that had happened.
I shook my head slowly. "No, Bhaiya... I'm not."
He stayed silent for a few seconds before squeezing my shoulder lightly. "Neither are we."
Sheraa whimpered softly and Dyan bhaiya ran a hand down his back too, trying to soothe both of us.
"I just..." I struggled to get the words out. "I just don't understand how he could think of leaving us... me... like that."
Dyan bhaiya knelt down next to me so he was at eye level.
"Choti," he said quietly, "pain makes people do stupid things. Even people who are loved beyond imagination."
I looked at him, my vision blurry.
"But we always made sure he never lacked love... we gave him everything."
Dyan bhaiya nodded.
"And he knows that. He knows it now, even more painfully. But guilt, shame... fear... sometimes they scream louder than love."
Tears slid down my cheeks.
"I'm so angry, Bhaiya. I'm so scared. What if next time I'm not fast enough? What if-?"
He cut me off by pulling me gently into his arms, holding me tight as Sheraa was crushed between us but didn't even protest.
"There won't be a next time, Choti," he murmured fiercely. "Because we're going to fix this. Together. He's our baby. Our Utsav. He doesn't get to break away from us, not even by mistake."
I sobbed silently against him, finally letting go a little bit of the storm inside me.
And Dyan bhaiya just held me tighter, like he'd never let me fall.
Not now.
Not ever.
It was past midnight.
The house was silent, the air heavy with exhaustion and unspoken fears.
Everyone was scattered across our rooms, not even touching the food that had been brought. None of us had the heart.
I was half-asleep on my bed, Sheraa curled near my legs, softly breathing. My hoodie still smelled faintly of hospital and pain. My body was aching, but my mind was too numb to care.
Then... I felt it.
A warm, trembling body nuzzling closer, hesitantly, almost fearfully.
Even without opening my eyes, I knew who it was.
Utsav.
My heart clenched painfully.
A part of me wanted to push him away, to stay angry, to make him feel the pain he caused.
But another, louder part - the part that had held him the first day he was born, the part that loved him beyond reason - couldn't.
Slowly, with a shaky breath, I gave up.
I shifted slightly and wrapped my arms around him in my sleep, pulling him closer against my chest.
He whimpered softly like a broken little boy, burying his face into my neck, clutching my hoodie tightly as if I'd disappear if he let go.
I felt warm drops - his silent tears - soaking the fabric where he hid.
"Sshh... baby..." I murmured, barely awake, my voice hoarse. "I'm here... I'm not going anywhere..."
In the deep darkness of the night, with Sheraa's soft snores and my little brother's broken sobs, I held him tighter - as if I could physically stitch his shattered pieces back together.
No matter how much he hurt me, no matter how angry I was,
he was my baby brother.
And he always would be.
We stayed like that, broken but together, until sleep finally took us both.
The morning sun was barely up when my phone buzzed violently on the nightstand.
Groaning, I picked it up and saw Lana calling.
Still half-asleep, I answered, my voice hoarse.
"Yeah, Lana?"
Her tone was serious, urgent. "Ms. Choudhury, the girl from Utsav sir case... she's filed a formal complaint."
I sat up immediately, my heart dropping.
"What complaint?"
"A rape case. It's already lodged. The media is getting whiff of it too. We need to act fast," she said, her voice tight.
I clenched my jaw, closed my eyes for a second to calm my boiling rage.
"Prepare all documents. Meet me at the legal office in an hour. I'll handle it," I said coldly and cut the call.
I sighed heavily and looked down at the bed.
Utsav was curled up like a small child, Sheraa laying protectively on his back, both of them breathing softly.
Gently, I tucked the blanket around them, careful not to wake them, and got off the bed.
I didn't even bother brushing - ugh, gross, but who cared right now?
Throwing on a loose hoodie, I padded down the stairs barefoot, my hair messy.
The moment I reached the living room, I froze.
The entire house was in panic mode.
Everyone was awake - running here and there, shouting, searching.
Panic was written all over their faces.
"What happened?" I asked groggily, rubbing my eye, not ready for this drama yet.
All heads snapped to me.
Before anyone could answer, Gyan Bhaiya practically yelled, "Katha!! Utsav is not in his room!! He's missing!!"
I winced at his loud tone, covering my ears.
"God, Bhaiya, it's too early for this disaster movie," I muttered, rolling my eyes dramatically.
Still irritated, I added lazily, "He's sleeping in my room, for heaven's sake. Check properly before giving everyone a heart attack!"
They all froze for a second, and then relief flooded the room.
I groaned at the unnecessary commotion, walked to Papa like a sleepy little koala, and plopped myself against his chest, whining, "I'm going back to sleep. Wake me up only if the house is actually on fire."
Papa chuckled softly, stroking my head while the others sighed loudly in both embarrassment and relief.
Sheraa growled once from upstairs as if scolding them too.
"See," I mumbled into Papa's chest, "Even Sheraa agrees with me..."
And with that, I dozed off for a few seconds right there, still half-draped over my father like a cranky child.
I suddenly sat up straight from Papa's chest, my heart racing.
"No," I muttered, "I can't rest right now."
Everyone looked at me, confused.
"What happened, Katha?" Papa asked, concern flashing in his tired eyes.
I ran a hand through my messy hair and growled, "That stupid woman has filed a complaint against Utsav... and it's serious. It's a rape charge."
The entire house froze - completely.
Dead silence.
"W-what?" Bhairava Bhaiya finally spoke, his voice low and dangerous.
"I just got the call from Lana. She's lodged a legal case," I said, my voice cold, professional.
"But how the hell-!" Dyan Bhaiya started pacing furiously.
Gyan Bhaiya cursed loudly under his breath, punching the air.
"We need to fix this immediately," Arya Bhabhi said, her face pale.
"If this gets to the media, they'll destroy Utsav's life before we can even fight back!"
Papa just sat there, stunned, rubbing his forehead.
"I have already told Lana to gather all documents. I'll handle the legal part," I said firmly, standing up and cracking my neck, trying to shake off the sleep still clinging to me.
"I'll ruin that girl," Dyan Bhaiya growled, his fists clenching so tight his knuckles turned white.
"No," I snapped. "We'll do it legally. I'm enough. Let me handle her."
Everyone nodded, though their faces were still dark with fury.
Just then we heard soft footsteps descending from upstairs.
We all turned sharply toward the staircase.
It was Utsav.
He was coming down, still sleepily rubbing his eyes, holding Sheraa in his arms like a baby.
Sheraa, the snow leopard cub, purred and nuzzled into his chest.
Utsav looked so innocent and clueless, his hair messy, wearing my oversized hoodie that hung on him like a blanket.
He blinked at all of us frozen in the living room and mumbled groggily,
"What happened...? Why are you all staring at me like I'm a ghost...?"
He yawned, completely unaware of the ticking bomb hanging over his head.
Papa immediately stood up, walked to him, and gently ruffled his hair while Sheraa licked Utsav's chin, making him giggle softly.
And I stood there, watching him, my blood boiling and heart breaking at the same time.
I swear, I thought, I'll burn this world down before letting them hurt my little brother.
Because no one, absolutely no one, messed with a Choudhury.
Especially not mine.
I looked straight at Utsav, my face blank, my voice emotionless.
"Utsav," I said - no sweetness, no warmth like before, just cold professionalism, "be ready by 10. We have some legal issues to solve."
I saw him flinch slightly.
Yes, I called him Utsav, not my ladle or my laddu - the names I pampered him with since he was a baby.
But he wasn't getting those back anytime soon.
He opened his mouth to say something - maybe to apologize again - but I didn't give him the chance.
Without waiting for any response, I turned around sharply and walked upstairs.
I could feel all the eyes on me - my brothers, Papa, even Arya Bhabhi - but I didn't care.
My heart was too heavy, my mind too focused.
I entered my room, closing the door quietly behind me.
Sheraa jumped onto my bed, watching me with curious, innocent eyes.
I sighed deeply, running a hand through my hair and looked at the clock - 8:45 a.m.
"Just a little more time..." I whispered to myself.
Without wasting another second, I went straight to my wardrobe, pulling out a crisp white pantsuit - formal, powerful (and yes I brushed and took shower I'm not unhygienic guys).
The Katha Choudhury who was about to step out today wasn't just a big sister.
She was the Queen of Justice.
The lawyer who had never lost a single case.
And today, I was fighting for my little brother's life and dignity.
No mercy.
No fear.
No distractions.
Just pure, calculated fire.
And God help anyone who dared stand against me today.
I came down the stairs, my expression composed but my eyes giving away the storm inside.
Everyone was in the living room, sitting tensely, waiting for me.
Arya bhabhi immediately walked up to me, her eyes soft, filled with concern. She placed her hand gently on my arm.
"Don't be too hard on him, Katha," she whispered softly, looking into my eyes. "He made a mistake... but he needs you more than ever."
I looked at her, forcing a sad smile on my face.
Without saying anything, she kissed my forehead lovingly and quietly left to get her things - Bhairava bhaiya had already stood up to drop her off safely.
As the door closed behind them, the silence settled heavy in the room again.
I turned and walked toward the dining table, feeling everyone's eyes follow me.
Dyan bhaiya, with his bruised knuckles, came near me holding a plate and without a word, fed me a spoonful of food.
I blinked at him, my throat tightening, but obediently opened my mouth and ate.
He knew... they all knew... I wouldn't have eaten otherwise.
Meanwhile, Gyan bhaiya went near Utsav, who was sitting stiffly with his head down, guilt eating him alive.
Wordlessly, Gyan bhaiya picked up a plate and started feeding him too, just like old times when Utsav was their little prince.
No words were exchanged.
None were needed.
This was our way - through love and silent forgiveness - even when the wounds were still fresh and bleeding.
Sheraa quietly curled near my feet, sensing the heavy emotions around him, his little body pressed against mine for comfort.
I took a deep breath and leaned back slightly, staring at the clock.
9:30 a.m.
Just half an hour left...
And then the real battle would begin.
For him.
For my family.
For justice.
And I was ready to burn the entire world down if it came to that.
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